NBA News: Kobe Bryant to Start Training Program

Los Angeles Lakers veteran Kobe Bryant have started a six-month training program last Monday as doctors have cleared him for running and shooting drills, according to ESPN.COM.

The 35-year-old missed 76 of 82 games in the 2013-2014 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers and is recovering from a broken bone in his left knee.

According to the same report, Kobe received “positive feedback during a consultation last week with the doctors in Germany who previously performed the platelet-rich plasma treatment known as Orthokine on his knees.”

"We had a tough year. Kobe's had a really tough two years. He's had two career-threatening injuries. He's had to live through the season that we had to live through together. This is his 18th year in the NBA. Although I haven't spoken to him in the last day or two, I understand leaving town he is going to see his medical consultant in Europe,” said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

“So, all things considered, to me, it's not that big of a deal."

Not surprisingly, Bryant averaged just 13.8 points per game last season, his lowest since rookie year in 1996-1997. The Lakers suffered one of their worst seasons in franchise history after a 27-55 record this season.